Kindness, respect, and building understanding — A way forward for reconciliation

Writing in The Tyee on the 4^th annual National Truth and Reconciliation Day, Monday, September 30, Tumia Knott, spaləl̕, a member of Kwantlen First Nation, a lawyer with First Peoples Law, with a practice focus in Indigenous law and self-determination initiatives expresses concern and some sadness about our national observance:

I struggle with National Truth and Reconciliation Day. While I know my thoughts may change over time, my truth right now is I really don’t like this day.

For me personally, partaking in some events on this day can be triggering and traumatic. While I try most always to have a positive outlook, it is a day I know will be sad and heavy. Despite the many well-intentioned events planned and organized throughout the country, it can be a lot to take in.

It is a day where I want to confront the disturbing insincerity of a day set aside for “truth and reconciliation” by a country that continues actions causing harm, denial of basic human rights and racism against Indigenous Peoples. It is a day I would honestly prefer to run away from rather than face the reality and sadness of the hard feelings that surface. It is a day where I want to shield and protect our dear Elders from having to relive past traumas.

spaləl̕ makes some really good points in her testament. Here we are, four years in to a national commemoration, or is it a celebration? Dutifully I rummaged around for my orange T-shirt (which looks raggy now and needs replacement with newer imagery added) and wore it to the dog park, the community garden, and to a local sports field. I feel good, though I know how small such a witness really is.

I have attended commemorative ceremonies for children who never returned home from residential schools, but that was a few years ago. I look forward to rejoining our local healing and reconciliation learning group in a few weeks’ time. I have shared my own discovery story elsewhere. I always acknowledge territory in church and elsewhere as one very small “drip, drip, drip” reminder of who and where we are. I read books and watch movies as my knowledge base grows. I support initiatives such as The Witness Blanket. I am curious however to listen to Indigenous leaders as to what they think really moves healing forward. More from spaləl̕.

Actions that provide direct support to Indigenous people, through supporting their Nations, their organizations and their direct needs and priorities, go a very long way. This should be the focus of this day, not reliving trauma, not placing unreasonable and unfair expectations on Indigenous Peoples to lead a day that is not only theirs to lead. Truth and reconciliation requires building understanding, coming together, working and supporting each other in collaboration and partnership. We are not there.

This I can do from my own settler experience and perspective. My five years in the Territory of the People Anglican Church connected me with Indigenous leaders locally and nationally. The situation in my present diocese is quite different. The only residential school in our territory was Roman Catholic. I was shocked to learn recently of two very high profile Anglican leaders who were literally ignorant of our history, our legacy as Anglicans, and as Canadians. Reconciliation for them was overblown and exaggerated.

Let’s be clear: forced assimilation intends evil, even in those situations where student/survivors derived some benefit. Indigenous students did not choose to attend residential or day school. They were incarcerated. Underneath it all was the conviction that everyone in our lands should be white Europeans. No, no, no.

I am also concerned to learn that should the BC Conservatives gain even minority control of the provincial legislature in an election just a few weeks away they will dismantle forty years’ worth of progressive legislation aligned with the UN Declaration on Human Rights. “The First Nations Leadership Council minced few words last week when they blasted Conservative Party of BC Leader John Rustad for making “inflammatory and ignorant” comments that included racist stereotypes about Indigenous people.” Obviously, the struggle continues . . .

spaləl̕ concludes: My intention of sharing my truth here is a plea for patience and understanding, and to remember the potential differing impacts of this day on Indigenous people. We should all use this day as a day of kindness, of respect, of building understanding. While acknowledging the harms of the past and learning from history is important, there is more work needed to directly support health, wellness and healing for Indigenous people and communities and to truly honour the strength and promise of Indigenous resilience.